If anyone still doubted that Martin St-Louis has mastered the art of the indirect message, his simple word “probably” when talking about the departure of Samuel Montembeault tomorrow says more about the real state of the goalkeepers’ file than any official press release.
It’s not a hesitation like the others, it’s not a blank of language: it’s a voluntary psychological pressure which falls directly on Montembeault, already fragile, already shaken, already experiencing the worst season of his career.
And in the current context, this simple “probably” acts like a real tremor in the head of the poor Quebec goalkeeper.
Because Martin St-Louis could have put the rumors to rest. He could have said: “It’s Montembeault tomorrow, period. »
He could have protected his guardian, given him a peaceful night’s sleep, at least given him the illusion that he knew where he was going.
But he chose ambiguity, vagueness and uncertainty.
And uncertainty, in the brain of a goalkeeper already demolished by weeks of criticism, catastrophic performances and statistical humiliations, is slow poison.
Tonight, Dobes plays in Toronto.
If Dobes is solid, the option of sending him back into the net tomorrow is no longer just possible: it becomes logical.
That’s what the whole market thinks. That’s what the players feel. And Montembeault knows it.
He knows a good Dobes game can take him out of the equation. He knows that his own net no longer belongs to him. He knows that probably can easily become ultimately no.
He knows that every Dobes save this evening could be another nail in his Montreal coffin.
It’s not just sport. This is a heavy and calculated message from St. Louis.
It’s no secret: St-Louis is a coach who works on trust. When he senses confidence slipping in a player’s hands, he acts. Sometimes by flattering in the direction of the grain. Sometimes shaking. With Montembeault, he chose the shock.
To say “probably” today is to say:
“You no longer have your net. You’re going to have to earn it. I don’t guarantee you anything. »
Even if he should be in front of the net tomorrow against the St-Louis Blues, the fact that St-Louis (the coach) is mistreating him psychologically like this is truly merciless.
And in the current context, where Montembeault has an efficiency rate of .861, dead last in the league among regular goalies, where he has only one victory in his last six starts, where he constantly seems overwhelmed, unhinged, nervous and technically confused, it is a message that is not subtle.
Martin St-Louis is pushing his own goalie into a dangerous mental zone.
And this comes at the exact same time that trade rumors are exploding everywhere.
While Montreal wonders who will keep the goals tomorrow, another scene was playing out this afternoon: Columbus lost a game 7 to 6, once again because of Elvis Merzlikins, who repeatedly falters, who still posts a lousy .825 today, who is no longer considered a number one, who has lost the locker room, and who is officially available.
The problem for the Latvian goalkeeper is not only his horrible statistics (goals against average of 3.87 and efficiency percentage of 885), but his attitude which would be very individualistic. He sulks because he lost his number one position and is really not appreciated by his teammates.
And according to information circulating in the market, the Blue Jackets would be very, very interested in Samuel Montembeault.
And unlike Martin St-Louis, Columbus does not tremble in front of his mental record.
They see a goalie in difficulty, yes, but an affordable goalie at $3.15 million per year until 2027, a recoverable goalie, a goalie who could perhaps rebuild himself away from Montreal.
The combination of the two scenes, Montembeault who is at rock bottom in Montreal, Merzlikins who implodes live in Columbus, creates a huge opening.
Here we have a puzzle that makes sense. Montreal wants to turn the page. Columbus wants a goalie. Merzlikins wants to leave. Montembeault sees the organization gradually removing all certainty from him. Dobes takes up space. Fowler knocks on the door.
Everything points in the same direction.
What if the real decision had already been made?
The Canadian knows that he cannot keep Montembeault, Dobes and Fowler on the same trajectory.
The wait around Fowler gets heavier every week.
The Canadian would not want Elvis Merzlikins, his contract too heavy ($5.4 million until 2027) and his unstable reputation.
But if Columbus agrees to withhold part of the salary, could the CH be open?
After all, we don’t want to rush Jacob Fowler.
In any case, the Canadian wants to get out of the Montembeault issue, which exhausts everyone, which occupies too much negative narrative in the media and which creates too much unease around the locker room.
If Dobes plays again tomorrow…
If Montembeault remains on the bench…
Then the storm becomes official… and a transaction will be inevitable…
Because a number one goalie doesn’t lose his net because of a simple “probably.”
He loses it because we are preparing his exit.
